Generally reliable sources in Tajikistan say kidnappers holding the family of the opposition commander, Ali Pir-Muhammed, have demanded two governmentsoldiers in exchange.

There's been no word about who the kidnappers are, but it seems the soldiers are in the Interior Ministry force.

Mr Pir-Muhammed's mother, wife and baby son were abducted from their home on Tuesday.

Two neighbours taken at the same time have since been released.

Mr Pir-Muhammed, who's known as Ali the Boxer, was away at a registration centre for opposition fighters, in line with the United Nations' backed peace plan.

Correspondents say this may be especially significant.

Many fighters were already dubious about registering: the kidnap of Mr Pir-Muhammed's family is unlikely to reassure them.